‘King’ Karol Itauma WINS GOLD at the Youth Olympics

St Marys Karol Ituama wins Olympic Gold in Buenos Aires, Argentina !!!!!

17 year old St Marys Chatham, Kent boxer Karol Ituama won Olympic Gold in Buenos Aires , Argentina!

Ituamas rise has been very quick, after taking up Boxing in 2014. Since having his first bout less than four years ago in November 2014, he has won a staggering seven National titles in a row since he entered his first one! At club level he has also won Golds at Haringey, Hull and Celtic box cups. Karol entered his first major international comp for England at the European Youths this spring and got a Silver medal. Itauma didn’t medal at the worlds this summer, but won 3 bouts, culminating in gaining revenge from the Euro final against the reigning 2 time Euro and World Youth champion from Russia. Ituama Gold was his 38th win, with all 4 of his losses coming at International level. Karol is still undefeated  in England. On January 1st 2019, Karol takes the step up to senior level, which will present a new challenge.

Away from Boxing, the Chatham based southpaw Karol studies A-Levels at the sixth form of Greenacre school, where he is head boy. Itauma has also gained recognition in the local press as he has designed, produced  and sold his own T-shirt range, which were very popular. He has also won the England schools indoor rowing competition for his school. It comes as no surprise that Karols idol is Anthony Joshua and he hopes to follow his footsteps to senior Olympic Gold.

Although it has taken lot of time and effort from the coaches, to help Karol to reach Olympic standard, he really is a coaches dream. Karol has the rare mix of natural athletic ability and high level of dedication. As a coach, you often come across one, but rarely both in the same boxer. He is so committed, we literally have to tell him to have days off training, to avoid injuries and burnout! Karol trains 5-6 days a week (as well as doing his runs in the mornings) which is usually split between training at his club St Marys in the week and with the England squad on weekends. Karol also has some sessions with a strength and conditioning company, who also provide him with a program for him to work towards in his own time.

Karol is such a respectful and humble young man, he truly is a pleasure to train. He even helps out coaching in our young beginner sessions on Saturday mornings, when he is not at England camps. ‘King’ Karol Itauma is an inspiration to every member of St Marys, Kent and Southern counties Boxing and is proof  that if you work hard enough, dreams really can come true.

As a club, to say St Marys Boxing club are proud of Karol, would be an understatement!

Karol hopes his junior experience, will help prepare him for his assault on the senior Boxing scene in 2019…Watch this space!